SSakhumzi Restaurant is located in Vilakazi Street, a popular precinct in Orlando West, Soweto. This is the only street in the world that can claim to have had two Nobel Laureates as residents - the late Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. The restaurant has been around for over 17 years and began with a group of friends, and a discussion over a couple of beers under one very special tree. The tree was a home away from home and it offered shade in the summer, a place where dreams were shared and friendships cemented.

When the dumpies (South African colloquial term used to describe 440ml alcohol bottle) ran dry and stomachs started to rumble, the smell of home-cooked food lured people from the famous tree and into the house. It was during this period that the entrepreneurial bug bit Sakhumzi and he decided to formalize the idea and now, seventeen years later, Sakhumzi is home to everyone – locals, tourists and even corporate groups.

Did You Know?

SSakhumzi Restaurant was rated number 1 restaurant in Soweto on Tripadvisor for 2014.

PPeople come from all over the world to taste the authentic Kasi flavour. What makes it special is that the famous tree is still rooted in the place where it all began.

Sakhumzi, meaning, “building a house”, is popular for its Soweto styled buffet, a variety of proudly South African traditional cuisine such as umnqusho (samp and beans), mogodu (tripe) and dombolo (steamed bread). Tourists can also feast on the range of self-styled signature dishes named after various Soweto locations.

Sakhumzi Restaurant (Vilakazi Str)

SSakhumzi Restaurant has become a firm favourite amongst both tourists and locals, and it came as no surprise when it was rated number 1 restaurant in Soweto on Tripadvisor in 2014. The restaurant can house over 350 people in an indoor and outdoor setup. Patrons are even treated to interactive public artwork and a variety of curio stalls, Come mingle with the locals while soaking up the rich historical atmosphere.